Christmas riot continues in Orissa

Violence against Christians continued for the third day in the eastern Indian state of Orissa after fresh incidents of persecution were reported yesterday.

The violence that broke out on the eve of Christmas killed at least two and damaged 12 churches in Kandhamal district which has at least 100,000 Christians of 650,000–population. All Catholic institutions in the area, including a convent and seminary, were attacked. Two Church–run hostels and high schools were not spared, and rioters also targeted a few shops managed by Christians in Bamunigam.

According to the unconfirmed reports by the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), about 2000 believers were injured and about 20 churches were damaged. "The believers in Orissa had their worst ever Christmas," lamented GCIC.

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India expressed shock over the attacks on Christians and their institutions. Its spokesperson Fr Babu Joseph said,
?A series of well–planned attacks on innocent Christians and their leaders have completely shocked us and we are deeply pained at a time when we are celebrating peace and harmony of Christmas. These attacks on Christians on the day of Christmas seem to suggest a planned effort to disturb communal peace by some misguided and anti–social elements.?

?What is more worrying and disheartening to note is the manner in which the unruly mob went on rampaging in villages where Christians were preparing to celebrate Christmas with a near total impunity,? Fr Babu added.

President and Founder of Gospel for Asia KP Yohannan says Orissa has been notorious for its anti–Christian activities. "This is one of the most anti–Christian states in the sense of persecution, and over 12 churches were demolished by the anti–Christian communities. They beat up quite a few missionaries, and they continue to create more difficulties for the church at large."

Yohannan says one GFA church was burned down. "This happened in the presence of police, and the police could not do anything because there were too many that were attacking the church building. Then one of our missionaries was caught: they shaved his head and marched him to the temple, and they forced him to kneel down before the (Hindu) deities. And of course they beat him up."

Meanwhile, Christian leaders today called for the Prime Minister?s intervention in the communally affected state of Orrisa, when they met him in the morning.

?We have asked the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter and bring the criminals to justice?, said, adding that memorandums would also be submitted to National Human Rights Commission and National Minority Commission.

Political parties too have condemned the violence unleashed against Christians in Orissa, demanding immediate security measures to control the situation.

Chief Minister of Orissa Naveen Patnaik reviewed the situation at a top–level meeting and again appealed to people to maintain communal harmony. Director General of Police (DGP) G.C. Nanda said the situation was improving.

Hindu right–wing groups have often accused Christian missionaries of luring poor and uneducated tribal people to convert to Christianity with money and promises of jobs, education and healthcare.